Compare SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 vs Audeze Maxwell

Active noise cancellation is absent, and reviewers who care about ANC treat that omission as a real limitation.

Android compatibility is limited to phones with headphone jacks or adapters, but one review still gives it credit for working with compatible Android phones.

Software/app support is strong on PC through Sonar or GG, but weaker for analog-only use or non-PC setups.

The app/software experience is mixed-to-negative overall, ranging from stable but basic to buggy, clunky, incomplete, or unreliable.

Audio-video sync evidence is positive where tested, with no noticeable lags or delays during games and movies.

Bass impressions are mixed: some reviewers praise controlled or punchy low end, while others call it weak, restrained, dull, bloated, or overpowering in competitive play.

Bass is usually praised as punchy, detailed, and controlled, though a few reviewers note it is not a boomy basshead tuning without EQ.

Battery life receives near-universal praise, with reviewers repeatedly describing the 80-hour class endurance as impressive or exceptional.

Bluetooth is a limitation rather than a strength, with one review noting that TV or mobile use may suffer because many devices rely on Bluetooth.

Bluetooth performance has limited scored evidence here, with one reviewer reporting annoying stutter at distance.

Build quality is mostly good for the price, with praise for solidity and durability despite plastic; some reviewers note it does not feel premium.

Build quality is mostly praised as sturdy, premium, or tank-like, but early-unit failures and cosmetic wear create some caution.

Built-in DAC and hi-res playback evidence is positive but limited, centered on high-bitrate decoding without external gear.

Controls are usually considered simple and convenient, but a few reviewers criticize mute button location or feedback.

Physical controls are often appreciated, but reviewers also mention a learning curve, confusing multifunction wheels, or poor placement.

Cable impressions are mixed: the included cable can feel good, but one reviewer dislikes the semi-proprietary connector and another finds the cable short.

Cable quality has limited scored evidence; one reviewer calls the included USB-C cable very basic.

Carry case quality is effectively poor because one reviewer explicitly criticized the absence of any case or bag.

Charging is praised because short top-ups provide many hours or a full day of additional use.

Clamp force divides reviewers: several find it comfortable or secure, while others call it excessive, tight, or pressure-inducing.

Clamping force is generally viewed positively because it seals without feeling overly tight in most reports.

Codec support is well regarded because reviewers value LDAC, LE Audio, LC3/LC3plus, and other higher-quality or future-facing options.

Comfort is the strongest consensus area, with most reviewers praising long-session wear, while a minority report warmth, tightness, or serious discomfort.

Long-session comfort is mostly positive despite heat and weight caveats; many reviewers could wear it for hours after adjusting.

Connectivity versatility is mixed: analog 3.5mm works well in many setups, but mobile, docked, or modern-device limitations reduce flexibility.

Connectivity versatility is a major strength because reviewers value Bluetooth, dongle, USB-C, analog, and broad platform support, despite switching caveats.

Console limitations recur because software features are PC-focused, some systems lack ideal support, and one PSVR2 setup loses mic function.

Console compatibility has real caveats around buying the correct version and uncertain cross-platform wireless behavior.

Design is usually praised as sleek, minimalist, neutral, or attractive, though some reviewers find it plain or uninspired.

Design and aesthetics are mostly praised as understated, premium, sleek, and non-gamer-looking, though one reviewer finds it clunky.

Detachable cable convenience is mostly positive, with reviewers appreciating easier travel, replacement, and cable flexibility.

The wired option is valued as a useful fallback or flexibility feature, even though the headset still needs power.

The detachable microphone is valued because it makes the headset easier to use as headphones for music or travel.

Dongle impressions are mixed, with praise for range or form factor offset by artifacting, connection failures, or USB-controller sensitivity.

Ear cup padding is usually praised for softness, breathability, and fit, though some reviewers note warmth or low-quality cloth feel.

Earpad padding is often plush and comfortable, but repeated caveats mention heat, sweat, thinness, or firmness.

Rotating and lay-flat earcups are repeatedly treated as useful for fit, neck wear, and storage.

Ear cup swivel evidence is positive, with one reviewer noting the cups rested comfortably around the neck.

Earpad replacement is praised where discussed, with reviewers noting easy removal or replacement.

Earpad replacement is praised as easy, with several reviewers noting twist-off or easily removable pads.

Equalizer customization is a major PC-side upside, with reviewers saying Sonar can significantly improve or personalize the sound.

EQ customization is valued because the headset responds well to EQ, though reviewers criticize clunky interfaces and occasional access limitations.

Fit and seal depend on head and ear size; some reviews praise fit while others warn about large heads, large ears, or narrow suitability.

Fit and seal reliability are praised where discussed, especially for maintaining passive isolation.

The footsteps-focused feature is useful but not universally ideal; one reviewer preferred more custom EQ control for competitive FPS use.

Measured or described frequency response is viewed as good for the price by one review, but another calls it serviceable with missed nuance.

Frequency response evidence is highly positive, with reviewers highlighting target matching, linearity, and controlled tuning.

Game/chat balance control is repeatedly praised for quickly adjusting game and voice levels without heavy software dependence.

Headband adjustability is generally useful, but some reviewers dislike the imprecise adjustment, elastic concerns, or strap comfort.

Headband adjustability is one of the clearest weaknesses, with reviewers criticizing the limited notches, awkward strap, and imperfect fit granularity.

Durability around hinges and yokes is mostly positive, with reviewers praising reinforced or double-fork designs.

Hinge durability evidence is negative due to a reported early unit breaking during normal use.

Included accessories are modest but appreciated, especially the splitter/extension cable and occasional sticker pack.

Included accessories are praised for quality and usefulness, especially the included adapter and cables.

Detail separation is a recurring weakness in more complex audio, with reviewers noting limited layering and less distinct sound separation versus better headsets.

Instrument separation and detail retrieval are repeatedly praised, with reviewers noting clear layering in music, games, and busy mixes.

The retractable integrated microphone is mostly praised for tucking away neatly, though a few reviewers report wobble or retraction problems.

Integrated microphone evidence is mostly negative, with several reviewers calling the built-in mics bad, compressed, or inferior to the boom mic.

LDAC receives positive evidence, with one reviewer saying audio quality remained exceptional in LDAC testing.

Maximum-volume clarity is inconsistent: some hear distortion or higher-volume struggle, while one review praises bass that does not distort loudly.

Maximum-volume clarity is praised because highs remain clean and the headset avoids harshness or distortion when turned up.

The microphone is generally viewed as capable and good for the price, with some software dependence and one lower-confidence assessment.

Microphone performance is mixed: the boom mic can be clear or strong, but some reviewers call it muffled, merely serviceable, or not creator-grade.

Noise reduction is mixed: several reviewers praise background-noise suppression, while others report hiss, weak isolation, or background noise still coming through.

Microphone noise reduction is one of the most praised non-audio features, repeatedly removing keyboard, fan, vacuum, and ambient noise effectively.

Microphone voice quality is usually praised as clear, intelligible, and strong for the price, with a few caveats around passable or overly sensitive performance.

Call and chat microphone evidence is adequate rather than studio-grade, with the boom mic considered good enough for work calls or gaming.

Midrange is generally described as clear or balanced, but a few reviews note vocal clutter, reduced airiness, or a merely adequate mid presentation.

Midrange clarity is mostly described as clear, natural, or accurate, with occasional criticism that gaming tuning can make vocals sound thin or recessed.

Multi-platform compatibility is a core strength thanks to the 3.5mm connection across PC, consoles, handhelds, and compatible mobile devices.

Multi-platform compatibility is a strength where discussed, with reviewers emphasizing broad support across common gaming and media devices.

Multipoint and wireless source handling are mixed: Bluetooth multipoint can help, but lack of simultaneous Bluetooth plus dongle playback frustrates several reviewers.

Passive isolation is a weak point; reviewers say it is modest and not especially effective at blocking outside noise.

Passive isolation is mostly praised thanks to the closed cups and pads, though one reviewer found outside sound cut through more than expected.

Packaging gets a small positive mention for protecting the headset in an unboxing review.

Packaging quality has limited but positive evidence, with one reviewer calling the packaging luxurious.

Portability is helped by low weight and lay-flat earcups, though the headset does not fully fold.

Portability is limited by the large, heavy cups, even when they fold flat.

Positional audio is sharply mixed, ranging from accurate enemy placement to weak direction and distance cues in competitive scenarios.

Positional audio is often excellent for gaming, but competitive-focused reviewers note weaker verticality or pinpoint footstep accuracy than some rivals.

Preset EQ support is praised in one review for strongly affecting microphone and sound quality.

Preset EQ profiles are context-dependent: some gaming presets help, while music performance can suffer and some profiles sound poor.

Replaceable earpads get one positive mention as a way to swap fragile parts without trouble.

Replaceable earpads receive positive evidence because reviewers describe the pads as easy to remove, replace, or swap.

Sidetone or mic-monitoring support is a weakness, with reviewers complaining about no indicator, no sidetone, or no microphone monitoring.

Sidetone is the most consistently criticized feature, with noise, feedback, static, and bugs outweighing one positive report about loud monitoring.

Smudge resistance gets one positive mention for the black model resisting fingerprints.

Smudge resistance is weak in the one scored review, which says the cups show oil after handling.

Setup is often praised as easy plug-and-play, though software reliance can make the headset less competitive away from PC.

Setup simplicity is mostly positive for plug-and-play use and firmware guidance, though some reviewers criticize broader UX/app friction.

Reviewers broadly say the Nova 1 sounds good for a budget wired headset, especially for gaming, though several describe it as only adequate, compressed, or less detailed than pricier options.

Reviewers consistently frame sound quality as the Maxwell's core strength, often calling it best-in-class or audiophile-grade for a wireless gaming headset.

The soundstage is described as intimate rather than wide, though not so cramped that games or music become unusable.

Soundstage earns strong praise from several gaming-focused reviews, while audiophile and competitive reviewers describe it as merely adequate or narrower than some rivals.

Spatial audio receives strong praise when supported by PS5 Tempest, Microsoft Spatial Sound, virtual surround, or Sonar.

Spatial audio is usually a useful immersion bonus, especially on PS5 Tempest or Dolby, but some reviewers avoid it for competitive play.

Stability is positive where mentioned, with reviewers saying the headset stays secure without slipping.

Stability is mostly strong for wireless range or physical fit, though Bluetooth distance artifacts appear in one review.

Transparency-style passthrough is strongly praised in one review for realism and lack of harshness.

Treble often earns praise for clarity and balance, but reviewers also report low-treble dips, higher-volume strain, and inconsistent treble tuning.

Treble is generally controlled and clear, but some reviewers hear too much brightness or less openness depending on EQ and use case.

USB-C support is treated as a miss in one review because modern devices increasingly need USB-C or an adapter.

Value is generally strong, especially at budget or sale prices, but a few reviewers argue competing headsets offer better value.

Value for money is strongly positive overall: many reviewers call the price justified despite acknowledging the upfront cost.

One reviewer says the headset can get loud enough for them, but it is among the quieter budget options they compared.

Volume output is considered ample, with reviewers describing the headset as plenty loud or unusually powerful.

The headset’s light weight is consistently praised as a comfort and portability advantage.

Weight comfort is the main ergonomic tradeoff: reviewers call it heavy, but many say the distribution keeps it usable for long sessions.

Wireless latency is generally low enough for gaming, though reviewers occasionally report small lag or system-specific issues.

Xbox compatibility favors the Xbox version for broader platform support and Dolby Atmos, but PlayStation support may carry risk or limitations.